THE work to resolve the issues that Sabah and Sarawak have with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) could go ahead as planned now, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), Maximus Ongkili said.

The Parti Bersatu Sabah president and Kota Marudu member of Parliament said “much work had already been done in identifying the issues for settlement” by him when he was in the previous cabinet.

Ongkili, who was reinstated to the ministerial position in Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yakoob’s cabinet today, said an action plan had already been mapped out, especially for those matters that require changes in policy, regulations, as well as legal and constitutional action.

“I look forward to working closely with the prime minister and the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak to deliver what has already been planned, as well as new action plans that will be identified and implemented.”

He also said he has full confidence the prime minister and his cabinet will support, address, and deliver the concerns of Sabah and Sarawak in matters pertaining to MA63 “consistent with the expectations” of the people in the two states.

Senior Minister and Minister of Works Fadillah Yusof said Ismail, in retaining all the eight Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) members of Parliament in the cabinet was giving recognition to the people of Sarawak, and the leadership of Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg.

Fadillah said now that the political dust had largely settled and the cabinet formed, the national focus should be on ensuring political stability, addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and economic recovery.

He said everyone, politicians across the political divide and people from all walks of life, should play a part in helping to make this effort a success.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Ali Biju said Ismail’s decision to maintain continuity in many ministries bodes well for the nation.

Ali said there was still much work to be done by his ministry in overseeing the sustainable and responsible development of the country’s natural resources. – August 27, 2021.